Tuesday, September 2, 2008

This weekend, Zayde and I went to Zack's family's lake house for Labor Day. Zack left Thursday morning for Texas to help out with the Hurricane Gustav evacuation, so he was unable to join us. However, Zayde and I did enjoy our weekend! There are 4 grandkids on Zack's side of the family. Zack's younger sister, Jeana (who has 18 month old, Eli) has lived in Maryland & California for the past 4 years. Her husband, Stanley, is in the Marines and is now in Japan. Jeana is back home while Stan is overseas- we wish he could be here with us, too! This was only the 2nd time we have had all four grandkids together- it was great!

Zayde playing with the big kids!Tyler-5 and Chloe-3

Eli and Zayde playing together!

Eli and Zayde are only 4 weeks apart- it was so much fun watching them play and laugh together. Eli was born with Down Syndrome and many medical complications. He has been in and out of the hospital his entire life, but is doing very well now. He is still on a ventilator, oxygen and feeding tube, but that doesn't slow him down a bit! He is so active and has the sweetest personality- he is such a cutie!

Aunt Amy and Eli...

Zayde and Eli

Swimming at the lake...

...still my little climber!

Although it was pretty humid, Eli enjoyed being outside and watching the kiddos play.

Night-time campfire... is possible to spend the weekend on the lake and not make smores?

Tyler enjoys his smore!

Mommy (Jeana) and Eli playing...

Jessie (Zack's older sister) roasts a marshmallow.

Aunt Jessie and Eli

Zayde: "What's that?"

I can't resist those big blue eyes!

Tyler, Jeana, Holly, Zayde, Amy

Amy, Jessie, Jeana- we had SUCH A BLAST this weekend!

Jessie and Jeana are so much fun, always joking around and being silly. Jessie and I were best friends in high school before Zack and I started dating, so hanging out with them reminds me of the good 'ol days! I'm sure I could find an old picture of the three of us in high school if started looking...

What a cute group of kids. They are all so precious and I am so glad to see Eli out of the hospital. I have been meaning to ask about him since I read the post about you going to Little Rock to see him. You guys are such a cute family with everybody getting along so great. Glad you guys had a good labor day.

What a little doll Eli is. And what a blessing that Zade will have someone with special needs to know and love as he grows. My heart is always touched when I see how children can love without condition.